EP2365406B1 - Display system - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a time display system for a mechanical or electromechanical timepiece, and a mechanism for carrying out this system.

State of the art

In mechanical watchmaking, the time is most commonly indicated by means of a needle that moves in front of a graduation. This mode of reading is so integrated in our habits that the human brain can read the hour even in the absence of graduation.

Digital displays are also known, in which the time is displayed by numbers, appearing in a window. These displays generally implement discs, or prisms driven in rotation by the movement.

Naturally, electronic watches have been able to offer varied displays that can easily be implemented with LCD screens, for example. In particular, by turning on and off segments, some watches reproduce the movements of a needle. A priori, these displays can not be transposed easily into a mechanical watch.

Mechanical timepieces are known which propose studs rotatably mounted, proposing different display faces. For example, the document WO2008 / 144948 proposes an embodiment for simulating the displacement of a display hand. To do this, studs are arranged as are usually the display indexes of a timepiece. The pad corresponding to the information to be displayed has a specific surface, while the other pads have a uniform surface. For example, the plot signifying the information has a face of a particular color, while the other pads have another color. At the next hour, the specific pin active during the previous hour is activated, to present the same color as the others pads. Simultaneously, the active pad during the new time is also activated to present a specific color. Thus, in this embodiment, the pads are actuated at least twice per period, and the result obtained is identical to that of the movement of a needle.

The document US393000 proposes another mode of display of a timepiece whose turn of time includes 12 panels with two faces on which the numbers of the hours of 1 to 24 are carried. The panels are mobile in rotation and driven by the movement. so that they rotate successively 180 ° every twelve hours and out of phase with the hour hand.

The document EP1705535 proposes another display system in which the 12 digits of the hours are marked on the 4 sides of three polyhedra. The polyhedra are rotatably mounted on a disk along concurrent axes parallel to the plate and spaced 120 °. The disk is itself rotated by the movement about an axis perpendicular to the plate at a rate of one turn every 3 hours. The system is arranged so that each polyhedron rotates 90 ° when the mobile performs a complete rotation. A retrograde minute hand pivots at the same angular velocity as the disc. The reading of the time is done directly by the numerical indication displayed on the face of polyhedron visible vis-à-vis the minute hand

The document US5751663 proposes a display system where the hour and minute hands are replaced by concentric ring disks driven by the movement. A marking on the disks allows to visualize their angular position with reference to the hour turn and to read the time like on a conventional display with needles.

The present invention aims to propose a new time display system for mechanical or electromechanical watch.

Disclosure of the invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a display system as proposed in claim 1. A particular embodiment is the subject of claim 2.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un affichage selon l'invention,
• les figures 2, 3 et 4 montrent différents plans du mécanisme, en vue de dessus, les figures 3 et 4 illustrant le même plan, à deux moments du cycle de fonctionnement,
• les figures 5 et 6 illustrent, dans deux plans différents, une variante du mécanisme selon l'invention

The invention will appear in detail on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 is a top view of a display according to the invention,
• the figures 2 , 3 and 4 show different planes of the mechanism, in top view, the figures 3 and 4 illustrating the same plan, at two points in the operating cycle,
• the figures 5 and 6 illustrate, in two different planes, a variant of the mechanism according to the invention

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

In the present application, in the absence of further specification, the term "time" must be understood in a limiting manner, that is, it is only the time and not the time. current time, which involves the hour and minute of the current time.

On the figure 1 , the display system according to the invention is implemented in a wristwatch. To indicate the time, twelve sectors 10 are evenly distributed on the dial side. The sectors 10 are distributed in radial directions around a geometric center, which preferably defines the center of the watch. The sectors 10 are of oblong shape and point in the usual directions graduations to read the time on a dial 11, each sector 10 is separated from 30 ° of its neighbor.

Each sector 10 is divided into a first 12a and a second 12b distinct display portions. More specifically, the portions 12a and 12b are distinguished by their appearance, which is preferably contrasted, as will be understood later. It may be color difference, surface treatment, decoration ... The portions 12a and 12b are separated by a plane parallel to the dial 11 which contains the longitudinal axis of the sectors 10 and which, advantageously, defines the portions equally.

Each sector 10 is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, to be driven by a training device which will be described later. However, each sector 10 occupies a fixed angular position with reference to the geometric center.

In the embodiment proposed in the drawing, the sectors 10 are arranged over the dial 11. The latter may have contrast areas 14 facing sectors 10, so that they are more visible. These contrast areas 14 may be of a contrasting color with respect to sectors 10. They may, in addition, be made in relief, in the form of recesses. Advantageously, the recesses allow the level of the dial 11 to be located substantially in the middle of the sectors 10. This contributes to improving the visual division of the sectors 10.

With the mechanism that will be described below, the sectors 10 are arranged so that only one of the two display portions 12a and 12b is visible by a user. Thus, a first position illustrated in Fig. 1 shows that all sectors 10 display their first display portion 12a, in this case a clear portion. This position corresponds to noon. A first sector 10, positioned at 1H, that is to say at 30 ° clockwise with respect to the vertical position corresponding to 12H, is pivoted by the drive system so that that the second display portion 12b is visible, this second portion being dark. This position corresponds to 13H ( figure 2 ). Then, one hour after the first sector has been actuated, a second sector 10 positioned at 2H is rotated to display the second display portion. This position corresponds to 14H. Thus, the successive sectors 10 are rotated, until the second display portion 12b of each is visible, this position corresponding to midnight.

A second cycle then begins, the first sector 10 positioned at 1H is rotated by the drive system so that the first display portion 12a clear is visible again. This position corresponds to 1H. Then, one hour later, the second sector 10 positioned at 2H is rotated to display the first display portion 12a. This position corresponds to 2H. Thus, the successive sectors 10 are rotated, until the first display portion of each is visible, this position corresponding to the position of the figure 1 .

With such a display system, the reader perfectly perceives the time displayed and very easily reads the information provided. In addition, this system allows the time to be given on a twenty-four hour format, with a combined day-night display. In addition, the display suggests an idea of the notion of time spent.

We will now describe with reference to Figures 2 to 4 , a first variant of the drive device for rotating the sectors 10. The sectors 10 and the drive device are advantageously arranged on a modular type of frame, although it is also possible to integrate them to the movement. As shown in figure 2 each sector 10 comprises a rod 16, arranged along the longitudinal axis and carrying, at its end, a first pinion 18. The frame is provided with guide elements ensuring the maintenance and positioning of the rods 16 and the sectors 10.

The first pinion 18 is engaged with a second pinion 20, part of a mobile 21 mounted on the frame. The first 18 and second 20 pinions are thus arranged perpendicularly and their gear is advantageously conical.

The mobile 21 also comprises a wheel 22 secured to the second gear 20. For each sector 10, a jumper spring 24 cooperates with the wheel 22, so as to ensure its positioning. The spring-jumper 24 could also cooperate with one of the pinions 18 or 20, but the toothing of the wheel 22 being flat, as will be understood below, the cooperation with the spring-jumper 24 is more favorable.

The wheel 22 is arranged to cooperate with a rack 26 located in the plane of the wheel 22. The latter is dimensioned so as to cooperate simultaneously with a single mobile 21. The rack 26 advances by jump and cooperates with a single mobile 21 at each jump, at an angle allowing the sector 10 to perform an instantaneous rotation of 180 °, that is to say that the pivoting sectors 10 is done quickly, as fully understood by the man of the job.

To perform this jump, the rack 26 is integral with a star 28 of twelve teeth, positioned by a jumper 29. The latter allows positioning the star 28 and the rack 26, by assisting the rack 26 to finish moving and ensuring that sector 10 rotates exactly 180 °.

The star 28 is driven by an energy accumulator, for driving the star 28 and the rack 26 by jump. This energy accumulator comprises a second wheel 30 driven by a watch movement, and a cam 32 linked in rotation with clearance with said second wheel 30. More precisely, the cam 32 and the wheel 30 are free on their axis. The cam 32 comprises a circular window 34, in which engages a lug 36 integral with the wheel 30. Thus, the cam 32 can take advance on the wheel, as shown in FIG. figure 4 . Then, when the wheel 30 has caught the cam 32, the lug 36 is supported on the wall of the circular window 34 and the cam 32 and the wheel 30 are integral in rotation.

The cam 32 comprises at least two nozzles 38, one being capable of cooperating with the star 28, while the other can act on a second spring-jumper 40 that comprises the energy accumulator. In the example, the cam 32 has two spouts 38 and is driven at a rate of one turn every two hours. In the drawing, it driven from the hour wheel 37, twice as small as the wheel 30. Naturally, the star 28 is independent of the hour wheel 37.

The beaks 38 comprise two faces, one 38a progressive, to regularly lift the spring, and another 38b, steeper, to receive the action of the second spring-jumper 40 and act on the star 28, as will be detailed below. In order to prevent the second jumper spring 40 from rubbing continuously on the cam 32, a stop 42 is arranged in such a way as to limit the stroke of the jumper spring 30, so that it does not come into contact with the cam 32 until at the level of the beaks 38.

Specifically, the wheel 30 drives, in its movement, the cam 32 which raises the second spring-jumper 40 by the face 38a of one of its beaks. The other spout 38 advances between two teeth of the star 28, without action on it. Before a jump, the mechanism is in the position shown on the figure 3 .

When the spring crosses the tip of the nose 38, it falls suddenly on the face 38b of the nozzle and suddenly restores the accumulated energy, which instantly advances the cam 32. In this movement, the second nozzle advance the star 28 and the rack 26 performs its jump, which allows to rotate one of the sectors 10. Then the second wheel 30 continues its movement and catches the cam 32. The nozzle that actuated the star 28 will lift the second jumper spring 40 while the other spout will actuate the star 28 to rotate the next sector 10.

Thus, a driving device is obtained for successively actuating the different sectors of the display system and obtaining a change in the color of the sectors 10, each sector being pivoted instantaneously.

A second variant of the drive mechanism is proposed to figures 5 and 6 . The elements common to both variants have the same reference numbers. The arrangement of the sectors 10 is identical between the two variants, with the rod 16, arranged along the longitudinal axis and bearing, at its end, the first pinion 18 in engagement with the second pinion 20.

The energy accumulator proposed is also identical to that of the first variant.

The second variant differs from the first by the energy transmission means of the accumulator to the sectors 10 and by the positioning means of these sectors. According to this variant, these two functions are performed by a single mobile transmission and positioning 50. This mobile 50 comprises a star 28 similar to that already described in the first variant, that is to say, it receives the energy transmitted by the cam 32 and is positioned by the jumper 29, which also participates in driving the mobile 50.

The mobile 50 further comprises, integral and coaxial with the star 28, a board 52 for driving and positioning sectors 10. This board 52 is comparable to a toothed wheel, which would comprise only a toothed sector 54, playing the function of the rack 26, for example comprising two consecutive teeth, the rest of the periphery of the wheel being circular, that is to say toothless, defining a surface substantially at half height relative to the teeth. The toothed sector 54 is positioned and dimensioned to mesh with the wheels 22 of the different sectors 10. More precisely, during a jump, the board 52 being driven as the sector 26 of the first variant, the toothed sector cooperates only with the wheel 22 of a single sector 10. In addition, the race of the toothed sector and the gear ratios between the toothed sector 54 and the wheel 22 are defined so that the sector 10 performs precisely the desired rotation, in this case 180 °.

After the jump and for other sectors that have not been actuated, the toothless circular periphery of the board 52, provides a stop surface for positioning and holding in place the sectors 10. In fact, this surface is arranged so that two teeth of the wheel 22 come into simultaneous support on said surface, thus blocking the rotation of the wheel 22 and thus positioning the sector 10. This system is very advantageous, by removing the jumpers 24, which simplifies the system and decreases the energy needed for the jump.

From these systems, the skilled person can consider different variants. In particular, the training of the various sectors 10 could be dragging, each sector 10 becoming progressively light or dark, the progression making it possible to read the minutes passed in the hour, a little like a watch with a needle . Note that, in the example shown, the display of the minute is achieved by a disc disposed in the center of the dial 11, the disc being driven in a dragging manner opposite an index.

It is also conceivable to arrange the different sectors 10 under a dial, provided with slots pierced radially so as to reveal sectors 10. In such a case which is not included in the invention, depending on the size of the slots sectors 10 may be provided with a larger number of display portions than two, thus providing more flexibility in display possibilities. It would also be possible to affix on each of the display portions, the number corresponding to the displayed time.

Other variants are still possible. The minutes can be displayed using twelve sectors representing each five-minute slice, or six sectors representing each ten-minute slice, the hours can then be displayed per disc, at the center of the movement, instead of the minutes. in the example proposed above. A Trailing driving sectors can then allow an accurate reading of the minutes, in the intervals of five minutes separating two complete rotations of sectors. A similar system can be used to indicate the months of the year. We can still consider implementing two different levels to display, by means of two series of sectors, two different information. Of course, this information is not necessarily displayable in twelve sectors, other fractions being possible. Thus, more generally, the display system according to the invention can be used to display a time information of period T, comprising N sectors 10, the drive device being arranged to rotate a sector 10, to make visible at time interval of T / N, only one of the display portions. Indeed, whether it is a trailing or instantaneous training, when the training system has finished operating a sector, that is to say every T / N time, only a portion of This sector's display is visible. The training device acts consecutively on the various sectors, but only once per period, once per period, so that the number of first visible display portions changes from 0 to N during a first period, and from N to 0 in the next period. This applies to sectors split into two or more display portions. This display thus makes it possible to give, in addition to the targeted information, additional information on the duration. This information is perceived in a subjective way, by the proportion of sectors of different color. This is information different from the point-in-time information given by a traditional display, such as a needle or a display reproducing the movement of a needle.

Those skilled in the art may also propose a retrograde drive device, arranged to return abruptly to a predetermined initial position. Thus, from this initial position in which the first sector display portion is visible, the drive device actuates the sectors one by one and rotates them at a determined interval, in order to display the desired time information. When all sectors have been returned and present their second display portion, the device The drive returns abruptly to its original position, so that all sectors display the first display portion again.

Claims (13)

1. A system for displaying a time information having a period T, comprising:

   - N identical and successive oblong sectors (10) distributed regularly and each rotatable around a longitudinal axis extending along a radial direction around a geometric center, each said sector occupying a fixed angular position in reference to the geometric center separated by 30° from an adjacent sector and comprising a first (12a) and a second (12b) display portion with distinct appearances from one another and separated by a plane containing the longitudinal axis of all of said sectors

   - a drive device arranged such that only one of the two display portions (12a, 12b) of each sector (10) is visible and such that it causes a sector (10) to pivot at a time interval of T/N, the drive device acting consecutively on said sectors (10) once per period, such that the number of successive visible first display portions evolves from 0 to N over a first period, and from N to 0 during the following period,

   characterized in that said time information is indicated by the number of first successive visible display portions and the number of second successive visible display portions.
2. The display system according to claim 1, characterized in that the time information is the hour, and in that N = 12, and in that the drive device is arranged so as to pivot a sector (10), to make visible at one hour intervals, only one of the display portions.
3. The system for displaying the hour according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive device is arranged so as to pivot a sector (10), to cause each hour to pass its first and second display portion on either side of said plane.
4. The display system according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said first (12a) and second (12b) portions are equal and the sectors (10) perform a 180° rotation upon each actuation.
5. The display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device is of the instantaneous type.
6. The display system according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive device includes an energy accumulator and a rack (26) arranged to advance by jump under the action of the accumulator, said rack (26) being positioned and sized so as only to cooperate with one sector (10) upon each jump.
7. The display system according to claim 6, characterized in that the energy accumulator includes a wheel arranged to be driven by a clockwork movement, a cam (32) connected in rotation with play with said wheel, a jumper (40) cooperating with the cam (32) so as to store energy and retrieve it suddenly to cause the cam (32) to advance.
8. The display system according to claim 7, characterized in that the cam (32) is arranged to act each hour on a star (28) of twelve, secured to the rack (26).
9. The display system according to claim 6, characterized in that the rack (26) is arranged at the periphery of a plate (52), the rest of the periphery of the plate being circular, i.e., free of teeth, defining a stopwork surface.
10. The display system according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each sector (10) is secured to a first pinion (18), engaged with a second pinion (20), said second pinion (20) being part of a disc (21) arranged to cooperate with the rack (26).
11. The display system according to claims 9 and 10, wherein said disc (21) also includes a second wheel (22), characterized in that said stopwork surface is arranged such that two teeth of the second wheel (22) bear simultaneously on said surface, thus blocking the rotation of the wheel (22) and thus positioning the sector (10).
12. The display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sectors (10) are arranged on a dial (11) comprising contrast zones (14) arranged across from said sectors (10).
13. The display system according to claim 12, characterized in that said contrast zones (14) are made in relief.

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